Kirsten Dunst's Best Movies
On this iconic American actress' birthday, L'OFFICIEL celebrates her most notable roles.
Kirsten Dunst is a household name. You've seen her in Spider-Man, Wimbledon, and Little Women (1996), but her career goes beyond her best-known movies. This seasoned actress started her trek in Hollywood at the age of seven and has remained in the spotlight ever since. She is a trusted friend of Sofia Coppola and a recognizable face on the big screen. Altogether, this New Jersey native is the quintessential image of an American starlet. On her 41th birthday, join L’OFFICIEL in looking back on some of her best roles. These hit films are just the tip of Dunst’s ultra-successful iceberg.
Little Women (1994)
Kristen Dunst was 11 years old when she appeared in the fan-favorite movie Little Women, which was the first ever film adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's classic novel. Dunst played Amy March, the youngest of the four March sisters, who is allowed the opportunity to escape their humble lifestyle in Massachusetts and live in Europe with her Aunt.
Interview with the Vampire (1994)
Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror film based on Anne Rice's eponymous novel. It follows two vampires, Lestat (Tom Cruise) and Louis (Brad Pitt), as they to turn Kristen Dunst's character, the ten-year-old Claudia, into a vampire. This film was essential to Dunst's career and placed her in the spotlight at a very young age.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
This Sofia Coppola film was one of Dunst's earliest hits. The Virgin Suicides is a cinematic adaptation of Jeffery Eugenides' novel by the same name. It captures the life of five adolescent sisters in suburban Detroit as they try to navigate death, sex, and isolation. Dunst plays Lux Lisbon, a young woman who is just coming into her sexuality, but gets into trouble and is forced into confinement with the rest of her sisters. Within this isolation the Lisbon sisters falter, and find themselves as a part of an oppressive tragedy. This film marks the beginning of Dunst’s and Coppola’s working relationship, the two would go on to collaborate on many other films.
Bring It On (2000)
At the age of 17, Dunst starred in the most-loved film, Bring It On. She took on the role of Torrance Shipman, a star cheerleader looking to earn her team, the Toros, their sixth consecutive national title.
Spider-man (2002)
Dunst is widely recognized for her role in the first ever Spider-Man movie, where she starred alongside of Tobey Maguire, James Franco, and Willem Defoe. Dunst played Spider-Man's iconic love interest, Mary Jane Watson. The loved up duo shared one of the best on-screen kisses in film history (which they won a MTV Movie Award for). Dunst went on to appear in rest of the Spider-Man trilogy, which concluded production in 2007.
Wimbledon (2004)
Calling all Brit-loving tennis players, this romantic comedy is for you. Dunst plays Lizzie Bradbury, a star tennis player from America who has made her way to the U.K. to compete in renowned tennis tournament, Wimbledon. While there she meets Peter Colt (Paul Bettany) who peaks her interest but might jeopardize her focus. The film follows the duo as the they walk the fine love between love and tennis.
Elizabethtown (2005)
In Elizabethtown, aspiring young shoe designer, Drew Baylor, has become bogged down by life. His recent breakup and his father's death land him in a pit of sadness, but on his flight back to his Kentucky hometown he meets Dunst's character, Claire. Claire is a optimistic flight attendant that saves him from himself.
Marie Antoinette (2006)
Marie Antoinette is Sofia Coppola's retelling of the notorious story of France's ill-fated queen. Dunst stars as Antoinette in the vividly colorful and purposefully opulent film.
All Good Things (2010)
All Good Things is a crime-romance film that stars Dunst and Ryan Gosling as a married couple who must confront their issues. As their relationship deteriorates, Dunst's character, Katie McCarthy, disappears, which leads her husband to be placed in a compromising position.
Melancholia (2011)
Melancholia is a science fiction art film that captures the lives of two sisters as one of the prepares to wed but is disturbed by the news that a rogue planet is about to collide with earth. The film debuted at the Cannes Film Festival where Dunst won the award for Best Actress.
The Beguiled (2017)
The Beguiled is yet another Sofia Coppola film that Dunst starred in. It is based off of Thomas Cullian's novel by the same name, and follows John McBurney, an injured Union soldier, who seeks refuge in an all-female Southern boarding school where Dunst's character, Edwina, is a teacher. As McBurney lives with this group of women sexual tensions rise and rivalries form.
The Power of the Dog (2021)
The Power of the Dog is a Western drama directed by Jane Campion starring Dunst and Benedict Cumberbatch. Dunst plays a widow who marries a rancher and the film focuses on the complicated familial reactions that follow, specifically those of her new brother-in-law.
